Karamarko resigns as First Deputy PM

Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) chief Tomislav Karamarko on Wednesday announced that he was resigning as First Deputy Prime Minister, and once again called on Deputy Prime Minister Bozo Petrov and Prime Minister Tihomir Oreskovic to step down as well.

Karamarko told a news conference in the HDZ headquarters that parliament would decide on the HDZ-sponsored motion for Oreskovic's impeachment on Thursday after which, he claims, the HDZ would start working on government reshuffle.

He said that the current government crisis was unbearable to watch.

Commenting on the decision of the Conflict of Interest Commission that he was in a conflict of interests, Karamarko said the decision was "half-grotesque" saying that it seemed to him that he was sanctioned for committing "a verbal offence". He also said the decision was made under pressure, announcing he would appeal to the Administrative Court.

Beirut (dpa) - Syrian government forces and their allies advanced deeper into the shrinking rebel-held enclave in eastern Aleppo on Wednesday, seizing the Old City, while demanding the armed opposition groups leave the area.